Being Filipino and Exploring Filipino roots... Thoughts & Considerations 🇵🇭

Nothing like thinking you were fairly connected to your Filipino roots living in a place like Las Vegas (where the third most spoken language is Tagalog) then touching down in the Philippines and realizing YOU KNOW NOTHING JON SNOW.

One week of being in the Philippines already had my brain rearranging, like one of those ever changing and evolving labyrinths that f*ck with you just when you think you were beginning to grasp a sense of direction.

And so, coming to terms with and navigating filipino-american identity as a second-generation Fil-Am continues to be quite the journey.

Before I share the rest of my 5-6 weeks in the Philippines (and one in Japan!)
...I felt the responsibility to address some of thoughts, perspectives, and considerations when talking about / sharing the Philippines... I want to make sure I am being thoughtful and intentional about my part in it. It brings me so much joy to be able to share the beauty of the culture, land, and people I was so fortunate to experience! But at the same time it's also important to be intentional about sharing some broader, real contexts to be mindful & aware of.

Just because it is my ancestral land, doesn't mean it's just my vacation...
Sharing these thought explorations and remaining ever-curious is my way of recognizing and honoring my roots.

If you're planning a trip to the Philippines yourself, I hope some of these reflections can inspire some food for thought in your own journey as a global citizen as well.

Nonetheless, I'm grateful for this place to process

00:00 initial thoughts about the philippines
04:55 realizing i was not ready
05:30 nail salon sidebar
06:20 filipinas on the rise fcking me up
11:43 on expansion / values
13:18 my travel hot take
16:30 final reflections